EDMONTON—Miranda Jimmy knew the relationship between Alberta’s provincial government and Indigenous communities was going to change the moment Jason Kenney started his election night victory speech. Among the differences are each leader’s approach to land acknowledgments, the practice of publicly referring to treaty relationships that has become common among political leaders across Canada. Alberta is covered by three Treaty agreements signed in the late 1800s, Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8. There was the habitat-protection Caribou Draft Plan, some increased support for Indigenous children with disabilities, and a large amount of support for Indigenous communities who wanted in on energy projects. But he says land acknowledgments also show a politician’s understanding of Canada’s history more broadly, and also signal to Indigenous peoples a desire for better relations going forward.

Source: thestar May 14, 2019 23:03 UTC